I’m burnt out, you’re burnt out, we’re all burnt out…to a certain degree. It is something we all shouldn’t be afraid to admit out loud. Life is hard right now, so let’s get down to the dirty and talk about burnout.
For over a decade, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) has been documenting the rising rates of nurse absenteeism and overtime in provinces across Canada. The CFNU’s work suggests that a cycle of excessive overtime, unsustainable workloads, widespread verbal and physical violence, have led to a decline in nurses’ health, including mental health. In the documented report on Mental Disorder Symptoms Among Nurses in Canada, Linda Silas writes that the “growing nursing shortage evident in many parts of the country, and further nurse shortages on the horizon, the situation is likely to worsen.” This report came out prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and couldn’t be more relevant today.
See article: Mental Disorder Symptoms Among Nurses in Canada (Complete PDF version) (Summary Version)
Is it Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?
In order to counter either of these phenomena, it is essential to recognize the differences between the two. While nurses can experience both, these are two distinct experiences. Burnout is associated with workplace stressors such as manager unresponsiveness, lack of camaraderie/teamwork, staffing shortages, long working hours, intense workloads, conflicts with other nurses/healthcare providers, and time pressures. Compassion fatigue, on the other hand, emanates from the stresses nurses experience from their relationships with patients and families.
See article: Compassion fatigue: The cost of caring (Boyle, Deborah A. Nursing. 45(7):48-51, July 2015.)
Countering Nurse Burnout
In the editorial “Countering Nursing Burnout”, Brandee Pak (MSN, RN, NE-BC, CCRNA) addresses that being caregivers in high-pressure environments, critical care nurses are at risk for burnout. On top of that, the unexpected and unrelenting devastation of COVID-19 has presented us with unforeseen challenges. With the current increased awareness of the influence that health care systems have on nurses, understanding that particular influence is more imperative now than ever. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recognizes the importance of addressing the quality of the work environment to improve individual wellbeing and organizational outcomes.
See article: Countering Nursing Burnout
Here’s what we can do:
• Observe your colleagues and provide meaningful recognition for the resilience you see.
• Research and access the resources that your organization has implemented, and make sure that your colleagues are aware of the resources. Employee & Family Assistance Program | Insite (albertahealthservices.ca)
• Access virtual support systems such as:
- Receive three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based text messages written by mental health therapists by subscribing here: COVID-19 Text4Hope | Alberta Health Services
- Browse resources and Services here: Help in Tough Times | Alberta Health Services
- As per UNA, you may request a Professional Development Day to view the following 7.5h long recording of UNA’s Wellness Day: Video of UNA’s Wellness Day – UNA Forums
- You will need your UNA login to be able to access this video
- Download the Healthy Minds Program app (Healthy Minds Innovations, 2020) How mindfulness could slash health-care costs by reducing burnout and attrition (canadian-nurse.com)
- Register to these 1 hour Seminars on MyLearningLink: WHS Wellness Seminar Series (albertahealthservices.ca)
How are you guys feeling? Do you have any strategies or articles to share in countering burnout? We would love to hear from you!
If you have any difficulties accessing any of the article links above, please reach out and we will get these resources to you 🙂
💜🥰thx